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Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 or Subclass 462)

A first taste of Australia extended travel and work for eligible young passport holders on the Subclass 417 or Subclass 462.

Overview

Work and travel, done properly

The Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) each let eligible passport holders aged 18 to 30 (up to 35 for some passports) spend up to 12 months in Australia, working in any job to help fund the trip. Both visas can be renewed for a second and even third stay, as long as you've completed a set period of specified work along the way three months for a second visa, six months for a third. The 462 stream covers a different group of partner countries to the 417, and applicants from China, India and Vietnam currently need to go through a ballot before they can even apply for their first 462 visa.

We confirm which subclass matches your passport, check your age and family circumstances meet the rules, and make sure any work you've already done genuinely counts as specified work before you rely on it in an application.

Who this pathway is for

  • First-time applicants aged 18 to 30, or up to 35 depending on passport.
  • Returning backpackers chasing a second or third working holiday.
  • Applicants from China, India or Vietnam navigating the 462 ballot process.
  • Anyone unsure whether their current job qualifies as specified work.

Applying from India, China or Vietnam? Here's how the 462 ballot works

If you're applying for your first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa and you hold an Indian, Chinese or Vietnamese passport, you can't just lodge a visa application straight away. These three countries are high demand, so the government uses a random ballot to decide who gets invited to apply. You firstly register your interest online during a set registration window each program year, along with a small non-refundable registration fee, and if you're randomly selected you'll then have a limited window (28 days) to actually submit your full visa application.

A few things worth knowing: this ballot only affects your first 462 visa if you already hold one and are applying for a second or third, you can go straight to a normal application. It doesn't apply to the 417 Working Holiday visa at all, since that stream isn't capped. Being randomly selected doesn't guarantee your visa will be granted you still need to meet all the usual eligibility requirements. You'll also need a valid national ID card from your country as well as your passport (for Indian applicants, this specifically needs to be a PAN card, not an Aadhaar card), and your registration details need to match your visa application exactly, so accuracy from the start really matters. Missing your registration window, or the 28-day window if you're selected, generally means waiting for the next program year's ballot.

We help clients register correctly the first time, keep track of selection windows, and move quickly on the visa application itself once selected, since that 28-day clock doesn't pause for anyone.

Key facts

Visa subclass417 (Working Holiday) or 462 (Work and Holiday), depending on your passport.
Typical stay12 months per grant, renewable up to three times in total.
Age limit18 to 30 inclusive, extended to 35 for some 417-eligible passports.
Work rightsAny kind of work while on the visa, with specified work required to qualify for your next one.
FamilyCannot be accompanied by dependent children.
Check my eligibility
What's included

How we handle it for you

01

Passport and eligibility check

Confirming whether the 417 or 462 stream applies to you and that your age fits the rules.

02

Ballot guidance

For China, India and Vietnam passport holders applying for a first 462 visa.

03

Specified work review

Checking your work history genuinely counts toward a second or third visa.

04

Application lodgement

Filed correctly with evidence organised and ready.

05

Ongoing support

A point of contact if the Department requests more information.

Our Process

From first conversation to decision

01

Initial consultation

We confirm eligibility and outline what a first, second or third visa needs.

02

Eligibility and specified work review

We help you understand specified work requirements before you commit to a role.

03

Lodgement

We prepare and file your application.

04

Decision & next steps

We brief you on your grant conditions and any timing quirks to know about.

Planning a working holiday in Australia?